Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - MOTU UltraLite-mk3 with Roland TD-20 drum module

CJ-Craze · 4th September 2008

Hello all,

I've been reading around about balanced/unbalanced and hi-z/low-z and I've gotten myself a bit confused and am looking for some clarification on something. My Roland TD-20 drum module has 8 unbalanced outputs. I'm thinking about purchasing the MOTU UltraLite-mk3 which has the following inputs according to the Motu site:

6 Analog 24-bit 192 kHz on +4/-10 bal/unbal TRS
2 Mic/instrument preamps 24-bit 192 kHz on XLR/TRS combo

I'm planning on running the 8 unbalanced outs from the TD-20 through an 8-way DI box, then into the MOTU unit. However, the "2 Mic/instrment inputs" are confusing me. By this do they mean Hi-z inputs that could take a direct unbalanced connection from my TD-20? Or will I still need the DI since it says the instrument inputs use TRS which I thought was only for balanced signals? If that's the case, what's so special about these two instrument inputs - is it only for the preamps? I do need to get all 8 outputs recorded at the same time - preferably in the same way so there are no discrepancies in sound between the 8 instrument sounds.

Thanks,

CJ

4th September 2008	#1
CJ-Craze Gear interested Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3 Thread Starter	MOTU UltraLite-mk3 with Roland TD-20 drum module Hello all, I've been reading around about balanced/unbalanced and hi-z/low-z and I've gotten myself a bit confused and am looking for some clarification on something. My Roland TD-20 drum module has 8 unbalanced outputs. I'm thinking about purchasing the MOTU UltraLite-mk3 which has the following inputs according to the Motu site: 6 Analog 24-bit 192 kHz on +4/-10 bal/unbal TRS 2 Mic/instrument preamps 24-bit 192 kHz on XLR/TRS combo I'm planning on running the 8 unbalanced outs from the TD-20 through an 8-way DI box, then into the MOTU unit. However, the "2 Mic/instrment inputs" are confusing me. By this do they mean Hi-z inputs that could take a direct unbalanced connection from my TD-20? Or will I still need the DI since it says the instrument inputs use TRS which I thought was only for balanced signals? If that's the case, what's so special about these two instrument inputs - is it only for the preamps? I do need to get all 8 outputs recorded at the same time - preferably in the same way so there are no discrepancies in sound between the 8 instrument sounds. Thanks, CJ